Rviewo Logo
HomeAbout
Free Reputation AuditFind Businesses
PricingFor RviewersBlogLog In
Back to Glossary
Definition

What is Word of Mouth?

Organic recommendations shared between people about a business, both offline and online.

Word of mouth (WOM) is when customers voluntarily share their experience with others — in conversation, on social media, or through online reviews. Digital word of mouth (online reviews, social mentions) has amplified traditional WOM exponentially: a single Google review can influence thousands of potential customers. WOM is the most trusted form of marketing because it comes from peers, not the business itself.

Why Word of Mouth Matters for Local Businesses

92% of consumers trust recommendations from people they know, and 70% trust online reviews from strangers. Word of mouth is essentially free marketing with the highest conversion rate of any channel. Businesses that systematically encourage WOM (through great experiences + easy review pathways) grow faster than those relying on paid advertising alone.

Related Terms

Social Proof
Review Generation
Net Promoter Score (NPS)
Google Reviews

Turn great experiences into word of mouth

Free reputation audit — see your Google rating, review velocity, and exactly what Rviewo would do for you. 60 seconds, no account required.

Get Started

No credit card. No account. Instant results.

Rviewo Logo

Reputation management built for local businesses. More reviews, fewer bad ones. All on autopilot.

Product

  • Pricing
  • Free Audit
  • Free Survey
  • In-Person
  • Online
  • Integrations
  • Use Cases

Features

  • Quilly AI
  • Churn Shield
  • QR Feedback
  • Review Routing
  • Storefront
  • All Features →

Compare

  • vs Birdeye
  • vs Podium
  • vs NiceJob
  • vs Yext
  • All Comparisons →

Resources

  • Blog
  • Guides
  • Glossary
  • Best Tools
  • Industries
  • Alternatives
  • Business Directory

For Consumers

  • Find Businesses
  • Write Reviews
  • Earn Rewards
  • What are Rviewo Reviews?

Company

  • About
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Cookies

Browse by Industry

  • Restaurants
  • Coffee Shops
  • Dentists
  • Gyms & Fitness
  • Bakeries
  • All Industries →

© 2026 Rviewo. All Rights Reserved.